Coin chute



April 21, 1936.

K. F. WILKINSON ET A Filed Sept. 12, 1935 COIN CHUTE VIII/II llllllllllllllll- 7775/8 ATTORNEYS.

April .1, 1936. K. F. WILKINSON ET AL 2,038,330

COIN CHUTE Filed Sept. 12, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORJ. 45 Ken on]? Mlkinson and Joiznl. Vau [in x\\\\\\\\\\\ M i 1m 2 v I an, Y T175119 ATTORNEYS.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COIN Kenyon F..Wilkinson, San Juan, Ten, and John L. Vaughn, Cicero, 111.

Application September 12, 1935, Serial No. 40,198

2 Claims.

This invention relates to coin chutes.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved multiple or gang coin chute which is relatively simple and inexpensive in construction and efficient in use.

A further object of the invention is to construct the coin chute in such a manner that a plurality of coins or tokens inserted into the same may readily be seen by the player and proprietor of the apparatus with which the coin chute is used.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved multiple or gang coin chute device which includes a coin slide embodying a plurality of coin receiving apertures.

A further object of this invention is to provide a. visible display multiple or gang coin chute which includes a coin slide embodying a plurality of coin receiving apertures which are so constructed that a plurality of ,coins may be inserted therein and be viewed through a sight opening.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the novel combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings showing the preferred form of construction, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary top plan view showing a preferred form of the new coin chute showing the same associated with an amusement device of conventional design;

Fig. 2 is a sectional detail view of the new coin chute taken along line 22 in Fig. 1; I

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of the new multiple or gang coin chute taken along line 33 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the new multiple or gang coin chute taken along line 4-4 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical section of the new coin chute taken along line 5-5 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional detail view taken along line 6--6 in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary top plan view of the new multiple or gang coin chute showing the coin slide of the same in full stroke position;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional detail view taken along line 8-8 in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary vertical section taken along line 99 in Fig. 7; and

Fig. 10 is a sectional detail view illustrating several parts of the new coin chute.

The new coin chute is shown, for the purpose (Cl. 194l-98) of iliustration, as associated with a coin operated amusement device of conventional design, such a device being generally indicated at IU in the drawings, and whereas the device shown in the drawings is of the pin and marble game type, 5 it is to be understood that the present coin chute may be used in conjunction with other types of coin operated devices.

The amusement device l0 comprises a cabinet II which includes an inclined playing board I2 10 having ball-receiving openings or pockets l3 therein which are adapted to receive played balls which may be elevated from a magazine (not shown)' up onto the playing board by means of the elevating-device, generally indicated at It, the balls being elevated into a ball ramp l5 adjacent a plunger I6 which is slidably mounted in the front wall H of the cabinet II at the lower end of the ramp l5.

Slidably mounted in the cabinet l| below the inclined playing board I2 is a slide panel l8, and depending from the slide panel I8 is an angled arm l9.

The new coin chute is-generally indicated at 20, and comprises a guide 2| and a slide 22 which is carried by the guide 2| and is slidably mounted therein for horizontal movement. The guide structure 2| includes a mounting 23 which is adapted for attachment to the front wall H of the cabinet I I by means of bolts 26, and the guide 2| also includes a bottom wall 24 and a top wall 25.

Formed in the slide 22 are a plurality of coin receiving apertures 21 which are adapted to convey coins or tokens placed therein along the horizontal bottom wall 24 of theguide 2|. The coin-receiving apertures 2.1 are formed as elongated openings so that a coin placed therein may be conveyed from left to right (Figs. 2 and 3) by the wall 28, which forms the outer edge of each coin aperture 21, when the coin slide 22 is moved (from lft to right, Figs. 2 and 3).

The top wa 'l 25 of the guide structure 2| has a plurality oi elongated sight openings 29 formed therein, and these openings 29 correspond in shape to the elongated coin apertures 21. The top wall 25 of the guide 2| likewise has a plurality of slots 30 formed therein through each of which is extended a coin deflector 3|, these deflectors 3| being mounted upon a common rock shaft 32. The shaft 32 extends transversely of the slide 22, and has its end portions journaled in blocks 33 which are attached to the guide structure 2|.

Arranged adjacent the blocks 33 and mounted upon the transverse shaft. 32 for pivotal movement therewith are latch dogs 34, the transverse shaft 32 being normally urged clockwise (Fig.2) by springs 35, each of which has one end portion anchored to the top wall 25 of the guide 2|, and the opposite end portion of each spring 35 being attached to an arm 35 which is fixedly mounted upon the transverse shaft 32.

The coin deflectors 3| which extend through the slots 38 in the top wall 25 likewise extend through the coin-receiving apertures 21 and corresponding openings 31 in the bottom wall 24 of the guide 2|, for reasons to be hereinafter set forth.

Mounted upon the under surface of the bottom wall 24 of the guide 2| are switch members 38, each of which has a lower finger portion 39 that is engageable with an upper resilient finger portion 40, the free end portions of these resilient fingers 40 extending through corresponding openings 4| which are formed in the bottom wall 24 of the guide 2|. Likewise formed in the bottom wall 24 of the guide 2| are a plurality of slots 42, each of which communicates with a corresponding one of the openings 4|.

Extending into each of the slots 42 is a notched finger 43 which is formed as a part of a transverse carriage 44, the end portions of the carriage 44 being disposed within a guideway 45 for horizontal movement. The carriage 44 is normally held in the position in which it is shown in Figs. 2 and 3 by means of springs 45, each of which has one end portion fixed to the carriage 44, and each of which has its opposite end portion anchored to the face plate 23. The carriage 44 also includes arms 41 which are disposed within the guideways 45, and each of these arms 41 has an upturned angled end portion 48.

Fixedly mounted on the lower side of the slide 22 at each of the side edges thereof, as at 50, is a forwardly extending arm 49 which is adapted to move horizontally along the bottom wall 24 of the guide 2| with the slide 22. Each of these forwardly extending arms 49 is provided with a cut-out portion 5|, and the upturned angled portions 48 of the carriage 44 are disposed in these cut-out portions 5|.

Formed as a part of the guide structure 2| of the coin chute 28 are two blocks 52 which are positioned adjacent the sides of the coin slide 22, and pivotally mounted, as at 53, upon each of the blocks 52 is a depending latch dog 54, these latch dogs 54 being held in their initial position by means of wire springs 55, each of which has one end portion anchored to the guide 2|, the opposite or free end portion of each spring 55 being disposed in grooves which are provided in lateral extensions 56 of the latch dogs 54.

Each of the latch dogs 54 has a ree end portion which is normally disposed in corresponding cut-out portion 51 in the slide 22. Likewise, each of the latch dogs 34 has a free end portion which is normally disposed in a corresponding cut-out portion 58 which is formed in the slide 22, it being noted that a portion of the top wall 25 of the guide 2| is cut away, as at 59, to allow the corresponding latch dog 34 to pass therethrough; and it being further noted that a slot or opening 60 is formed in the top wall 25 of the guide 2| to allow for the passage of the latch' dog 54 therethrough.

Supported at intervals upon the top wall 25 of the guide 2|, as at 5|, one within each of the openings 4|, are resilient friction members 62, each of which has a notched end portion, for reasons to be explained hereinafter, and each of the end walls 28 of the coin apertures 21 in the slide 22 has a notched portion 63 formed therein, for a reason to be hereinafter set forth.

Formed as a part of the slide 22, adjacent the bearing block 23, are lugs 64 which limit, the inward stroke of the slide 22 (from left to right, Fig. 2) I A sight opening 55 is formed in the playing board l2 so that a token disposed in position A (Fig. 7) maybe viewed therethrough from a point above the inclined playing board I2.

Formed in the bottom-wall 24 of the guide 2| are slots 66, each of which communicates with one of the openings 31.

Operation In the event that the player makes an attempt to operate the present coin chute 20 without inserting a proper coin into any one of the coin apertures 21 in the slide 22, the stroke of the coin slide 22 will be limited by the latch dogs 34 engaging the end walls of the cut-out portions 58 which are formed in the slide 22 (Figs. 4 and 6), thereby allowing only a partial stroke of the slide 22.

When a coin of proper denomination and size is placed in any one of the coin apertures 21 which are formed in the slide 22, the latter may be moved from left to right (Figs. 2 and 3). In this event, upon the inward stroke of the slide 22, the coin resting in one of the coin apertures 21 will be moved by the corresponding wall 28 of the aperture 21 and the coin will engage the corresponding deflector 3|, thereby pivoting the latter and the transverse shaft 32 counterclockwise (Figs. 2 and 6), and thus causing the latch dogs 34 to move (from full to dotted line, Fig. 6), against the action of the springs 35.

During the foregoing movement of the coin slide 22, the cut-out portions 5| of the forwardly extending arms 49, which move with the slide 22 upon which they are mounted, will slide by the upturned angled end portions 48 of the carriage 44 until the end portions of the arms 49 strike the upturned angled end portions 48 of the carriage 44, thereby moving the latter and the carriage 44 from left to right (Fig. 6) against the action of the resetting springs 38.

During the movement of the coin slide 22 (left to right, Fig. 2), the notched portions 51 which are formed in the sides of the slide 22 will likewise move (from left to right, Fig. 2) until they are out of registration with the free end portions of the latch dogs 54, whereupon the latter will assume the position in which they are shown in dotted lines (Fig. 6), with the lower end portions of the latch dogs 54 resting on the top of the coin slide 22; the latch dogs 54 when in this position preventing a return of the slide 22 to its initial position due to the wedging engagement of the latch dogs 54 upon the top of the slide 22, thus making it necessary for the operator to complete the inward stroke of the slide 22 before the latter may be returned to its initial position.

When the slide 22 is in full stroke position (Fig. '7), the cut-out portions 58 which are formed in the side edges thereof are disposed in registration with the lower end portions of the latch dogs 54, and in this position of the parts, the springs 55 will urge the latch dogs 54 into engagement with the cut-out portions 58. At this time inward movement of the slide 22 will be limited by the lugs 54, and the end walls 28 of the coin apertures 21 will have moved the coin or coins deposited therein into position A (Fig. 7), and in which position the coin or coins will be visible through the sight opening 65 which is formed in the inclined playing board i2 of the cabinet II.

When the carriage 44 is moved into the position in which it is shown in Fig. 8, as hereinbefore set forth, the notched fingers 43 will have moved (from left to right, Fig. 2) in the corresponding slots 42, for reasons to be hereinafter explained.

It is to be noted that when a coin which has been inserted in one of the coin apertures 21 of the slide 22 is urged inwardly by the end wall 23 of the corresponding aperture 21, the inner end of the coin (as seen in Figs. 2 and 10) will strike the cam-shaped end portion of the resilient friction member 62 (left end, as seen in Figs. 2 and 10) and will force the latter upwardly until the coin slide 22 reaches full stroke position, whereupon the resilient friction member 52 will then return to normal position and prevent the coin from moving to the left (Fig. '7) when the coin slide 22 is returned to its initial position.

When the coin slide 22 is moved from full stroke position back to its initial position (right to left, Fig. '7), the lower free end portion of the latch dog 54 will again ride upon the upper surface of the slide 22, but will at this time assume the position in which it is shown in dotted lines (Fig. 8), so that the lower right hand portion thereof (as seen in Fig. 8) will engage the upper surface of the slide 22 and prevent a reverse movement of the slide 22 (in this case from left to right, Fig. '7) by reason of the wedging engagement of the latch dog 54 with the upper surface of the coin slide 22.

The forwardly extending arms 48 will thereupon be moved back to their initial positions by the coin slide 22, and the carriage 44 will be free to be returned to its initial position by the springs 46. The carriage 44 will then be pivoted (counterclockwise, Fig. 8) when the notched end portion of the corresponding finger 43 engages the coin positioned at A (Fig. '7) and passes under the said coin (to the left side of the latter, as seen in Fig. 7) and the notched end portion of the finger 43 will be free to move up into the left end of the slot 42 (as seen in Fig. 7). The carriage 44 will then pivot clockwise (Fig. 2) into its initial position, whereupon the coin chute 20 will again be disposed in its normal position, as shown in Fig. 2.

It will be noted by reference to Fig. 2 that when the coin slide 22 is moved (from left to right, Fig. 2) the inner end portion of the latter (right hand end portion, as seen in Fig. 2) will engage the depending arm l9 and move the slide panel I 8 (from left to right, Fig. 2) to free the balls pocketed in the openings i3, so that the said balls thus released may be returned to the ball elevator l4 and be elevated thereby up onto the inclined playing board l2.

When one or more coins are inserted into a corresponding number of the apertures 21 in the coin slide 22, the latter may again be moved (from left to right, Fig. 2) in a manner similar to that already described. However, during this operation, when the forwardly extending arms 49 cause the upturned end portions 48 of the carriage 44 to move (from left to right, Fig. 2) in the guideways 45, the notched end portions of fingers 43' will move (from left to right, Fig. 2) in the slots 42 which are provided in the bottom wall 24 of the guide 2| of the coin chute 20. The foregoing movement of the notched end portions of the fingers 43 will cause the coin or coins which are disposed in position A (Fig. 7) to move (from left to right, Fig. 7) into position B (Fig. '7), in which position such coin or coins will be held against movement by the friction member 62, and in which position such coin or coins may be seen through the sight opening 55; it being noted that when the coin slide 22 reaches full stroke position, the last coin or coins inserted into the coin apertures 21 of the coin slide 22 will be disposed in position A (Fig. 7), so that they may be viewed through the sight opening 65.

When there are two coins already disposed in one of the coin apertures 21, a third operation of the coin slide 22 (from left to right, Fig. '7), with a third coin placed in one of the said coin apertures 21 formed in the slide 22, will cause the notched end portions of the arms 43 to urge the last of the said two coins inserted into the said coin aperture 21 to move from position A into position B, and this movement of the said first coin from position A to position B will move the first of the said two coins positioned at B into position 0" (Fig. 'l)

Upon the next operation of the coin slide 22 (from left to right, Fig. 7 with a fourth'coin placed in the aforesaid and last-named coin aperture 21 formed in the slide 22, the notched end portions of the arms 43 will urge the coins positioned at A into position B, which in turn will cause the coins positioned at B" into position C, and coins moving in a right hand direction from position C (as seen in Fig. 7) will drop off the lower wall 24 of the guide 2| and be directed into a suitable receptacle (not shown) which may be provided within the cabinet II.

It is to be noted that coins disposed in positions A, B and C in the new multiple or gang coin chute (as seen in Fig. 7) are visible through the sight opening 65 formed in the playing board i2 of the cabinet II.

It is to be noted that a coin or coins disposed in the position A (Fig. '7), will rest upon the corresponding upturned free end portions of the resilient fingers 40 which are formed as a part of the switches 38 to urge the resilient fingers 40 into engagement with the relatively stationary fingers 49, thereby closing an electrical circuit (not shown) which may be associated with the amusement device ill for any described purpose such as, for example, the number of coins inserted into the coin chute, or if desired, the said circuits controlled by the switches 38 may be associated with electrical dispensing devices to control the latter for dispensing articles or the like exteriorly of the cabinet I i upon the successful operation of the amusement device l0.

While we have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying our invention into effect, this is capable of variation and modification without departing from the spirit of the invention. We, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but'desire to avail ourselves of such variations and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A visible display coin chute comprising a guide including a bottom wall and a top wall having an elongated sight opening formed therein, a coin slide slidably mounted on the said guide below the said top wall thereof and having an elongated coin-receiving aperture formed therein, said sight opening being coincidental with a portion of the said coin-receiving aperture in the said slide when the latter is in its initial or coin-receiving position, said coin slide including a portion providing a wall of said aperture and said wall moving a coin or token disposed in the said coin-receiving aperture along the said bottom wall of said guide and into registration with the said sight opening when the said coin slide is moved away from its initial or coinreceiving position, means coacting with the said coin slide, when a coin or token is inserted into the said coin-receiving aperture of the said coin slide and the latter is moved away from its initial or coin-receiving position, to move the first coin or token moved into said sight opening by said slide along the said bottom wall of said guide, within said sight opening, and in a common horizontal plane with a coin or token disposed in said coin-receiving aperture, but into a position in said sight opening away from its initial position in the latter whereby coins or tokens successively inserted into the said coin-receiving aperture of said slide may be moved, by said slide along the said bottom wall of said guide and into registration with said sight opening, so that a plurality of coins or tokens may be simultaneously supported upon the said bottom wall of said guide in registration with said sight opening so as to be visible from a point above the said coin chute through the said" sight opening in said guide and the said coin-receiving aperture in said slide.

2. A visible display coin chute comprising a guide including a bottom wall and a top wall having an elongated sight opening formed therein, a coin slide slidably mounted on the said guide below the said top wall thereof and having an elongated coin-receiving aperture formed therein, said sight opening being coincidental with a portion of the said coin-receiving aperture of said slide when the latter is in coin-receiving position, said coin slide including a portion pro- Viding a wall of said aperture and said wall movaoaaaso ing a coin or token disposed in the said coinreceiving aperture along the said bottom wall of said guide and into registration with the said sight opening when the said coin slide is moved away from its initial or coin-receiving position, means coacting with the said coin slide, when a coin or token is inserted into the said coin-receiving aperture of the said slide and the latter is moved away from its initial or coin-receiving position, to move the first coin or token moved into said sight opening by said slide along the said bottom wall of said guide within said sight opening, and in a common horizontal plane with a coin or token disposed in the said coin-receiving aperture, but into a position in said sight opening, away from its initial position in the latter, whereby coins or tokens successively inserted into the said coin-receiving aperture of said slide may be moved, by said slide along the said bottom wall of said guide and into registration with said opening and advanced from one position to another in said sight opening, so that a plurality of coins or tokens may be simultaneously supported upon the said bottom wall of said guide in registration with said sight opening so as to be visible from a point above the said coin chute through the said coin-receiving aperture and the said sight opening, said means coacting with 

